VA to open new $20M health care center in Phoenix

PHOENIX -- The Veterans Administration announced Thursday it would be opening a new $20 million health care center in Phoenix.

"This new facility will provide personalized health care services for Veterans and allow us to expand services at the main hospital campus," said Dr. Darren Deering, adding the facility is expected to offer primary care, mental health care and labs, among numerous other things.

The facility is expected to treat as many as 120,000 veterans. It will cost more than $20 million to build.

"We are very pleased to have funding approved for this health care center," said Glenn Costie, interim CEO/medical center director in a press release. "The new space will allow us to continue to make progress in providing better access for Veterans who have earned and deserve the best care."

A location for the new facility has not been chosen. It is expected to open in 2019.

"This will not and cannot be the end of our effort," Obama said. "And even as we focus on the urgent reforms we need at the VA right now, particularly around wait lists and the health care system, we can't lose sight of our long-term goals for our service members and our veterans."

New Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald will be in Phoenix on Friday as part of a tour to host town halls. He hopes to get feedback from veterans and VA employees.